Audi unleashed a surprise of sorts on Monday at the Beijing motor show. Yes, the long-wheelbase version of the A6 tailored for the Chinese market was expected. Adding the E-tron hybrid element? That caught some observers off guard.

The A6 L E-tron is being billed as a technology study, which happens to have a blinged-out grille and 21-inch wheels. But there's plenty of substance lurking beneath the styling of this large sedan. Audi pairs its 2.0-liter TFSI engine making 211 hp with an electric motor pushing out 95 hp powered by a liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery.

Audi execs choose Beijing for the reveal of the A6 L E-tron because of its increased space in the rear and the potential prowess of the hybrid system in megacities.

The A6 is the first larger Audi to feature E-tron technology, as it's already been shown on versions of the R8, the A3 and the A1. The R8 variant will launch in limited production later this year.